The World and Factions of Warhammer

Warhammer, and essentially all wargaming today, is about more than just rules and miniatures. Creators have wrapped their paper and plastic goods in rich stories and worlds. Novels, comics, video games, and soon movies and series, all expand the game's lore. With Warhammer, we must always distinguish between its sci-fi branch, Warhammer 40,000, and the fantasy Warhammer: Age of Sigmar.

The World and Lore of Age of Sigmar

Age of Sigmar takes place in the Mortal Realms, eight interconnected worlds born from the ruins of the original world during the apocalyptic End Times. Each realm embodies a specific magical force – for instance, Aqshy is the realm of fire, Ghyran the realm of life, or Shyish the realm of death. These worlds are infinite, and the further one travels from their center, the more the surroundings take on magical properties – at the edges of the realms, miracles and horrors occur that would be impossible elsewhere.

Travel between the realms is made possible by ancient realm-gates, which have become key conflict points. Battles are fought over them because controlling a gate means gaining access to other realms.

The central figure of the entire world is Sigmar Heldenhammer – a mortal who became a god. Originally the ruler of the human empire in the old world, he survived its destruction and became the divine protector of the new realms. In the Age of Myth, he united the peoples and worked with other deities before their alliance gradually fell apart. When the Age of Chaos began, Sigmar retreated to the realm of Azyr, from where he prepared his great return. His greatest achievement is the creation of the Stormcast Eternals – immortal champions who are the reforged souls of fallen heroes. They became the instruments of his divine will and a symbol of hope in the wars against Chaos.

The history of the Mortal Realms is therefore divided into three great epochs. The Age of Myth was a period of birth and prosperity, when Sigmar united the nations and gods walked among mortals. Then came the Age of Chaos, when demons and servants of the dark gods, led by Archaon, conquered seven of the eight realms and plunged them into despair. Finally, the current Age of Sigmar begins, as the God-King calls his heroes back, reforges them into immortal warriors, and sends them into battles to control the realms.

Age of Sigmar thus combines epic mythology with constant conflict. It is a world where gods clash with mortals, where magic permeates everyday reality, and where every battle can decide the fate of entire realms.

Factions in Age of Sigmar

The world of Age of Sigmar is divided into four grand alliances – Order, Chaos, Death, and Destruction – each bringing together factions with their own playstyle and aesthetic.

Order represents those who strive to keep the Mortal Realms in balance. The Stormcast Eternals, immortal warriors called by Sigmar himself, play a central role here. Standing by their side are the mortal defenders of the Cities of Sigmar, the elven mages of the Lumineth Realm-lords, the nature spirits of the Sylvaneth, or the bloodthirsty gladiators of the Daughters of Khaine. Beneath the waves, the Idoneth Deepkin strike, while the fiery Fyreslayers fight for their ur-gold and their airship-faring kin, the Kharadron Overlords, rule the skies. We must not forget the ancient reptilian Seraphon, led by the mysterious Slann.

Chaos embodies the ruin and temptation of the dark gods. Here you will find the endless hordes of the scheming Skaven, the dark knights of the Slaves to Darkness, or the devoted servants of the deities themselves. The Blades of Khorne are fanatical warriors of blood, the Maggotkin of Nurgle spread disease and decay, the Hedonites of Slaanesh indulge in extremes and speed, and the Disciples of Tzeentch wield powerful magic and volatile change.

Death is the domain of vampires, skeletons, and ghosts. Soulblight Vampires rule legions of the undead, Ossiarch Bonereapers represent relentless and perfectly organized armies of bone warriors, and Nighthaunt are countless hosts of specters that creep across the battlefield like mist.

Destruction brings raw savagery. The cunning swamp orruks, the Kruleboyz, attack stealthily and unexpectedly, while the mad Gloomspite Gitz rely on hordes of grots, strange mushrooms, and bouncing squigs. Joining them are the massive Sons of Behemat, literal titans who can single-handedly turn the tide of a battle.

Each of these factions has its own aesthetic, combat style, and story. This variety and the ability to find an army that suits a player's style and visual preference is what makes Age of Sigmar such an appealing game.

The World and Lore of Warhammer 40,000

Warhammer 40,000 takes place in the dark future of the 41st millennium. Humanity is ruled by the vast Imperium, spanning thousands of planets, united by faith in the divine Emperor of Mankind. He stands at the center of the Imperium as an immortal leader who, tens of thousands of years ago, united Earth and embarked on the Great Crusade to reconnect the galaxy. After the betrayal of his favorite son, Horus, he was mortally wounded and has since been interred on the Golden Throne. His body is barely alive, but his mind continues to guide the human Imperium. To billions, he is worshipped as a god, even though he once claimed to be merely a man.

The antithesis of the Imperium is Chaos – powerful forces born from the Warp, a dimension formed by the emotions and consciousness of all living beings. In this realm, the four Chaos Gods were born: Khorne (bloodshed and war), Nurgle (disease and decay), Tzeentch (magic and change), and Slaanesh (excess and pleasure). These gods seduce mortals and entire civilizations, offering power but always at the cost of ruin. Their influence caused the Horus Heresy – a fratricidal war that plunged the galaxy into darkness forever and ensured that Warhammer 40,000 would always be a story of endless war.

There is no peace in this world. Every day, survival is threatened not only by external enemies but also by heresy and rebellion within the Imperium itself. The galaxy is permeated by the Warp, a dangerous dimension from which both psykers and the gods of Chaos draw their power. Technology is worshipped as a sacred mystery, and progress is practically impossible – humanity is merely surviving rather than growing. The motto of Warhammer 40,000 captures it perfectly: "In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war."

Factions in Warhammer 40,000

The greatest force in the galaxy is the Imperium of Man. Its symbols are primarily the genetically enhanced super-soldiers, the Space Marines, organized into many Chapters, each with its own heraldry and combat style. Joining them is the massive army of the Astra Militarum – billions of ordinary soldiers deployed into hopeless battles – and the mysterious Adeptus Mechanicus, the priests of the machine who control weapons and technology. The Imperium is a bureaucratic colossus worshipping the Emperor as a god, capable of mobilizing countless forces, yet bound by fanaticism and stagnation.

Standing against the Imperium are the dark forces of Chaos. These consist of the traitor legions of Chaos Space Marines who once served the Emperor but succumbed to the temptations of the four dark gods – Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh. Along with them, countless demons materialize from the Warp, representing the purest form of ruin and madness.

Other powerful factions include alien civilizations. The ancient and elegant Aeldari are the heirs to what was once the galaxy's greatest empire, but today they fight for survival against their own fall and their enemies. Their dark kin, the Drukhari, hide in the dark city of Commorragh and find pleasure in the suffering of others. The mechanically perfect Necrons – ancient dynasties of robotic beings – are waking from their tombs to reclaim the galaxy. They are a race that transferred their consciousness from bodies suffering from radiation-induced diseases into mechanical ones. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Orks, a barbaric but incredibly resilient race that lives only for war and the fun of fighting.

The Tyranids represent a threat from the unknown, endless hordes of alien creatures that devour entire planets to continue evolving. Their biological ships and infinite swarms are practically unstoppable. A relative newcomer to the galactic arena is the T’au Empire, a technologically advanced race that seeks to expand its empire under the banner of the "Greater Good," even though their message of peace is often accompanied by harsh military expansion.

Each faction carries a different vision of war and survival. Warhammer 40,000 thus offers a colorful mix of armies – from the fanatical Imperium through the traitors of Chaos to endless hosts of aliens. Everyone shares one thing, however: in this universe, there is no room for peace or compromise, only for endless war.

author Karel Krajča